NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Air Bags complaints
24 reportsClear category filter21,000 miles · Jan 23, 2010
Air BagsCrash
MY SON REAR-ENDED ANOTHER CAR IN A SNOWSTORM. HE WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 10-20 MILES PER HOUR AT THE TIME. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON HIS 2004 FORD FOCUS IS NOW ON, BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE ACCIDENT. HE MUST HAVE BEEN JOLTED FORWARD PRETTY ABRUPTLY BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT SPOOL IS BROKEN - THE BELT IS STUCK. HE WA…
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MY SON REAR-ENDED ANOTHER CAR IN A SNOWSTORM. HE WAS DRIVING BETWEEN 10-20 MILES PER HOUR AT THE TIME. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON HIS 2004 FORD FOCUS IS NOW ON, BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE ACCIDENT. HE MUST HAVE BEEN JOLTED FORWARD PRETTY ABRUPTLY BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT SPOOL IS BROKEN - THE BELT IS STUCK. HE WAS NOT INJURED, BUT I DO WONDER WHETHER THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE INFLATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10302047
9,000 miles · Jun 30, 2009
Air BagsCrash
WAS INVOLVED IN REAR-ENDING A CHEVROLET IMPALA STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS GOING 55-60 MPH AND HIT THE BRAKES AT THE LAST SECOND. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED AND HAD $7000-8000 WORTH OF FRONT END DAMAGE. THE ONLY THING I SUFFERED FROM WAS WHIPLASH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275366
93,116 miles · Oct 27, 2008
Air BagsInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. ON OCTOBER 25, 2008, WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR CRASH INVOLVED TO TRIGGER THE DEPLOYMENT. THE DRIVER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES TO HER NECK. THE VEHICLE I…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. ON OCTOBER 25, 2008, WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 25 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR CRASH INVOLVED TO TRIGGER THE DEPLOYMENT. THE DRIVER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES TO HER NECK. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS SENDING AN APPRAISER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 93,116. UPDATED 12/11/08 *BF THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO CANCEL THE COMPLAINT. THE CONSUMER STATED HER DAUGHTER WHO WAS DRIVING, HIT SOMETHING WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND THEREFORE TRIGGERED THE AIR BAGS. UPDATED 12/11/08
NHTSA ODI #10246801
97,000 miles · May 8, 2007
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT DID NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKES AND THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE STRUCK A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WAS A RECENT TIRE ROTATION PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND AAA AND THE DE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT DID NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKES AND THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE STRUCK A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WAS A RECENT TIRE ROTATION PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND AAA AND THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE LUG NUTS WERE STRIPPED. THE CONTACT HAS A POLICE REPORT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000.
NHTSA ODI #10190133
27,747 miles · Oct 6, 2006
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
FRONT END COLLISION, AIR BAG PUT OUT POWDER AND LIGHT INDICATES DEPLOYMENT, HOWEVER NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG OCCURRED. MY DAUGHTER WAS INJURED AND THE STATE TROOPER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN OBVIOUS DEFECT AND IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA WEBSITE. VEHICLE …
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FRONT END COLLISION, AIR BAG PUT OUT POWDER AND LIGHT INDICATES DEPLOYMENT, HOWEVER NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG OCCURRED. MY DAUGHTER WAS INJURED AND THE STATE TROOPER STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN OBVIOUS DEFECT AND IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA WEBSITE. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DEALER FOR CRASH REPAIR I HAVE YET TO HEAR THEIR DETERMINATION REGARDING THE AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE FADED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THIS IS THE SECOND BRAKE FADE PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ONCE FOR THE PROBLEM AND THEY FOUND AIR IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10170048
19,632 miles · May 19, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury
I HAD A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH A CAR THAT SHOT OUT OF A SIDE STREET DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. THE FRONT OF MY CAR HIT THE SIDE OF HIS VAN. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MY RIGHT KNEE CAP WAS FRACTURED. THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR FROM ENTERPRISE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10157876
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury
ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING HER FORD FOCUS. SHE SMASHED THE CAR INTO A CEMENT BARRIER, SPUN AROUND AND SMASHED THE BACK OF THE CAR INTO THE BARRIER AND THEN SPUN AROUND AGAIN AND SMASHED THE FRONT INTO THE BARRIER AGAIN. THE CAR IS CONSIDERED TOTALED BY THE INSURER. THIS FORD FOC…
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ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING HER FORD FOCUS. SHE SMASHED THE CAR INTO A CEMENT BARRIER, SPUN AROUND AND SMASHED THE BACK OF THE CAR INTO THE BARRIER AND THEN SPUN AROUND AGAIN AND SMASHED THE FRONT INTO THE BARRIER AGAIN. THE CAR IS CONSIDERED TOTALED BY THE INSURER. THIS FORD FOCUS IS EQUIPPED WITH AIR BAGS. THESE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. FORTUNATELY, MY DAUGHTER AND HER PASSENGER WERE NOT SERIOUSLY HURT. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE AIR BAGS NOT WORKING. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10152101
24,000 miles · Feb 4, 2006
Air BagsSteeringCrashInjury
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, WEATHER WAS CLEAR, ROAD WAS DRY. STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED TO RIGHT AND OUT OF CONTROL. VEHICLE STRUCK GUARD RAIL HEAD ON, UPON IMPACT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY WIFE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN HER HEAD STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. SHE RECEIVED CUTS TO HER FOREHEAD, …
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VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, WEATHER WAS CLEAR, ROAD WAS DRY. STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO VIBRATE, VEHICLE SUDDENLY VEERED TO RIGHT AND OUT OF CONTROL. VEHICLE STRUCK GUARD RAIL HEAD ON, UPON IMPACT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY WIFE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN HER HEAD STRUCK THE WINDSHIELD. SHE RECEIVED CUTS TO HER FOREHEAD, MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS AND A FRACTURED ANKLE THAT WILL REQUIRE SURGERY TO REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A CRASH INVESTIGATOR AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A DEFECTIVE TIE ROD WAS THE LIKELY CAUSE OF THE LOSS OF CONTROL AND THERE WAS SUFFICIENT FORCE TO DEPLOY AIR BAGS. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10149422
Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2005
Air BagsCrash
VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON THE ROAD DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER TWICE. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10115651
6,000 miles · Jan 2, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury
MASSIVE HEAD ON COLLISION OF A 2004 FORD FOCUS FAILED TO DEPLOY THE AIRBAGS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10105602
Official recalls
1Feb 1, 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.
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